Loose-leaf binder



April 19, 1927.. 1,625,752

H. C. STERLING LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 14, 1923 6km v. up

Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

I'IAREY C. STERJ LING, F SYRACUSE, NElV YORK, AFSSIGNOB, TO MQMILLAN BOOK COM- l PATENT OFFIQE.

IPANY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YQRK.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed November 14, 1923.

This invention relates to loose-leaf binders of the ring type and particularly to the means used for mounting the ring mechanism in the cover.

The invention is generally applicable to various types of cover but has particular utility with a type of cover now widely used and consisting of a single sheet of leather, or fabric imitation leather, folded upon itself.

The invention involves the connection of the ring mechanism to the cover by a row, or preferably parallel rows of stitches which pass through the cover and through rows of suitably spaced holes in the supporting plate of the ring mechanism. In order to avoid wear on the stitches in the ordinary o )eration of the ring mechanism, the sup porting plate is made distinct from the trouglrlike spring plate commonly used in ring binders and the stitch rows are so located as to be shielded by, but not engaged by, said trough plate. The two plates are connected by tongues struck out of the metal of the supporting plate, which are passed through slots in the trough plate and bent down. To connect the ends of the supporting plate directly to the cover by means additional to the stitching, and to prevent shitting of the metal parts in the cover, the cover is provided with tabs which are folded over the ends of the supporting plate and are pierced by the end tongues. This construction clamps the tabs between the supporting plate and trougl'i plate and relieves the stitches of much stress and wear to which they would otherwise be subjected.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragn'ientary view of a single ply leather cover with the ring structure in place. A portion of the cover plate of the ring mechanism is broken away.

Fig. 2' is a similar perspective with the cover plate removed and the major portion of the two toggle plates broken away to show the trough or spring plate.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4c is a fragmentary view of the supporting plate and the trough plate connected together, parts of the trough plate being broken away.

Serial No. 674,651.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale taken on the hue 55 of Fig. l.

.lhe cover 6 consists of a single rectangular piece of leather, folded upon itself at rows of thread stitches 9 which pass through the cover 6 and through parallel rows of spaced PGlTOl'zltlOllS 10 formed near the lateral edges of the plate 8. These stitches may be made by hand or by machine.

The plate 8 is fmrmed with a plurality of integral tongues 11 which are struck up from the metal alone the longitudinal center line of the plate. The two end tongues pass through the tabs T which are folded inward over the ends of the plate 8, so as to conceal these ends and so as to assist in holding the plate against longitudinal movement. These end tabs 7 may be held by the stitches 9, as shown in Fig. 4. or the stitching may be completed before the tabs are folded so that the tabs are held only by the tongues.

The tongues 11 serve as means for connecting any suitable ring binder mechanism to the supporting plate 8 and hence to the cover 6. I have chosen for illustration one embodiment of the well known toggle plate ring binder. The foundation for this binder mechanism is a trough-like spring plate 12 provided with slots 13 through which the tongues 11 pass, the tongues being bent down to clamp the trough plate 12 tightly against the end tabs 7, and into more or less close contact with the supporting plate 8. At least one tongue is bent down in the opposite direction from that in which the others are bent.

The trough plate 12 has inwardly turned overhanging marginal portions let which serve as seats for the edges of the toggle plates and which are notched at intervals as shown at 15 to afford clearance for the binder rings. The plate illustrated in the drawing is a standard type intended for use in seven as well as in three ring binders, and consequently has several extra notches 15.

The trough plate 12 is formed with several transverse stiffeningribs 16 which assist in giving additional resilience,

The toggle plates 17 are provided each with three mating; half ring sections 18 and are hinged together at their adjacent edges hy interengagement of the ring sections as is common in the art. The outer edges of the toggle plates are seated under the overhanging marginal. portions of the trough plate 12. Rocking actuator triggers 19 underlie the plates 17 and have short lugs or trunnio1'1s20 which engage in notches 21 and retain the triggers in place. A cover plate 22 with inturned edges fits over the trough plate. and serves to house the toggle plates and limit their outward n'lovei'nent.

The operation of the binder mechanism is Well understood and is not material to the present invention. which resides in the manner oi connectiru this or any generally equivalent hinder mechanism with a cover.

An examination of Fig: and 3 will make clear the fact that the sides of the trough plate 152 overlie the stitches 9. but are out of contact therewith so that the stitches are protected from wear. The construction is simple. inexpensive, and durahle and particularl) meets the requirements of singleply covers where former constructions have proved undesirable.

IVhat is claimed is:

1. In a loose-leaf hinder, the combination of a flexible cover; a trough-like metal supporting plate. reinforcing the back of said cover; thread stitches passing through said plate and cover and connecting; the same with each other; a leaf engaging; mechanism distinct from said plate, said mechanism overlying said stitches out of contact therewith; and means for connecting said mechanism with said plate.

2. In a loose-leaf hinder, the crnnhinatiou ot' a book cover; a supporting plate provided with perforations in a row arrangement; stitches connecting "said plate and cover and passing through said perforations; and a leaf-engaging mechanism distinct trom said plate and connected therewith by inter-engaging tongues and slots, said mechanism overlying and protecting said stitching.

3. In a loose-leaf hinder, the combination of a supporting plate formed with tongues for attaching a binder mechanism and with rows of perforations adjacent its edges; a book cover having projecting tabs folded over the ends of said plate and each engaged by one of said tongues; stitches passing through said perforations and connecting said cover and plate; and a loose leaf mechanism overlying said tabs and said stitches and clamped to said plate by said tongues.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HARRY C. STERLING. 

